I read last week that Larry bought 50 cases of 1972 Topps Series 3 direct, and that he thinks that was about half of the total production. He's been selling off that cache to the hobby for 33 years.
I have a feeling that Larry wants to cash out his inventory. This ad is like a call to make an offer on the entire lot. Even though his stuff is worth big $$$, you can't use cards to pay the bills.
If you notice, it implies that email is not acceptable. I guess by written he means taking pencil to paper. Now that is old school.
WinPitcher> "To keep people in the lurch is not good business. either he is selling this stuff in his "this is not a sale" ad or he isnt."
Am I the only one who feels that he's being VERY disingenuous when he tries to claim "we're still pricing out the items you inquired about". Gimme a friggin break, Larry! You've had this stuff in your warehouse for 30+ years and know very well what it's worth and what you want for it. To try to get your customers to believe differently insults their intelligence.
I agree 100% Either you want to sell or you don't want to sell. I would think that someone who has been around as long as he has wouldn't be interested in playing games like this. On the other hand I'm sure his prices are so out of touch that I won't buy anything anyway.
<< <i> I know a dealer at the Gibraltar shows who just hits the roof whenever someone comes up to him with something to sell, then says 'what will you give me' when he asks what they want for it. His stock response is some obscenely low number. When the potential seller blanches he says 'well, make me a counter offer'. >>
Larry's "no sale ask me what you want" has a bit of Mr. Mint's marketing savy, but I would not compare this to novices selling cards to dealers at Gilbrator. I think a lot of people hate it when a dealer will not make an offer to someone because the dealer is concerned that maybe the person would actually sell for less than what they are willing to pay. Thus forcing the novice to throw out the first offer. The term "novice" is a generalization, but from my experience the more savy or informed collector/seller will simply state what they want. More often than not, the "how much will you give me" seller is more easily taken adventage of by the buyer. Larry's prices are too high, he will ask way too much for the stuff he has, but he has lasted longer than anybody else and is an overpriced honest person that cares about the hobby. You have to respect that. If some big farm boy can create a buzz with a crazy ad in SCD, more power to him.
I toured his warehouse with a banker friend several years ago. The man did not accumulate all of what he has by being a dumb farm boy from Central Wisconsin! Very patience with his inventory!
My focus, 1970 Topps Baseball Raw and Graded, pre 1989 PSA Hockey and 1933 INDIAN GUM ! Yikes!!
Comments
the bottom line here is IMO he was just seeing what type of response he would get from his "not a sale" ad.
Steve
Joe
If you notice, it implies that email is not acceptable. I guess by written he means taking pencil to paper. Now that is old school.
<< <i>If you notice, it implies that email is not acceptable >>
Where does it say that?? It says written inquiries only by letter, fax or email.
Am I the only one who feels that he's being VERY disingenuous when he tries to claim "we're still pricing out the items you inquired about". Gimme a friggin break, Larry! You've had this stuff in your warehouse for 30+ years and know very well what it's worth and what you want for it. To try to get your customers to believe differently insults their intelligence.
Mike
Either you want to sell or you don't want to sell. I would think that someone who has been around as long as he has wouldn't be interested in playing games like this. On the other hand I'm sure his prices are so out of touch that I won't buy anything anyway.
Example:
BBCExchange:
1980/81 Topps Basketball Unopened Wax Pack $40.00
Larry Fritsch:
1980/81 Topps Basketball Unopened Wax Pack $82.95
<< <i>
I know a dealer at the Gibraltar shows who just hits the roof whenever someone comes up to him with something to sell, then says 'what will you give me' when he asks what they want for it. His stock response is some obscenely low number. When the potential seller blanches he says 'well, make me a counter offer'. >>
Larry's "no sale ask me what you want" has a bit of Mr. Mint's marketing savy, but I would not compare this to novices selling cards to dealers at Gilbrator. I think a lot of people hate it when a dealer will not make an offer to someone because the dealer is concerned that maybe the person would actually sell for less than what they are willing to pay. Thus forcing the novice to throw out the first offer. The term "novice" is a generalization, but from my experience the more savy or informed collector/seller will simply state what they want. More often than not, the "how much will you give me" seller is more easily taken adventage of by the buyer. Larry's prices are too high, he will ask way too much for the stuff he has, but he has lasted longer than anybody else and is an overpriced honest person that cares about the hobby. You have to respect that. If some big farm boy can create a buzz with a crazy ad in SCD, more power to him.
I agree!, now, when can those that inquired expect a response?
To his "this is not a sale"
Steve